TTUHSC El Paso is located in the second largest binational metropolitan area on the U.S.-Mexico border. It provides the opportunities and environment for direct intellectual and interpersonal exchanges among nursing, medical, and graduate research students on one campus.

Willed Body Program

The Willed Body Program is now accepting new donor applications.

Your donation to the TTUHSC El Paso Paul L. Foster School of Medicine Willed Body
Program will help us provide high-level anatomical instruction to future physicians.
We are deeply grateful to those whose interest in furthering medical education leads
them to make this donation. If you are interested in becoming a registered donor,
or if you would like more information, please contact us using the information provided
below.

Donor Forms

To enroll, Please complete and return the Donation Form and Personal Data Sheet.

KCOS-13 Willed Body Program Broadcast

Frequently Asked Questions

Donors must be at least 18 years of age and competent to make the decision to donate.
There is no maximum age limit. Registration as a donor in our Willed Body Program
does not mean that the body donation is always accepted, as that decision is made
at the time of death at the discretion of the Program. It is wise to have an alternative
plan, as there are restrictions on the condition of bodies that we are able to accept.

Organs (other than eyes) have been removed at or near the time of death, such as for
organ donation and/or autopsy

Severe obesity, jaundice, or body contractures

Advanced decomposition of body

Trauma, such as that suffered during an automobile accident, drowning, homicide, etc.

In the event that the Willed Body Program determines that the donor body is unusable,
the next of kin will need to make alternative arrangements for the final disposition.
The Willed Body Program cannot be responsible for any costs associated with alternative
arrangements.

If you are interested in donating your body to help educate our future medical professionals,
you will first need to contact our program via email, mail, or phone and ask for the
willed body program donation forms. You can also download and print the forms from
our website. We will provide a pack of four forms (two are for information only),
two of which will need to be completed and mailed back to us. The Donation Form will
need to be completed and signed by you and two witnesses. The Personal Data Sheet
will also need to be completed and returned.

The Willed Body Program can also accept donation of deceased persons who did not register
with our program prior to passing away. The next of kin may contact the Willed Body
Program to initiate the donation process and they will be asked to fill out a Next
of Kin Donation Form.

When we receive your completed and signed Donation Form as well as your completed
Personal Data Sheet we will send you a letter of acknowledgement and a donor wallet
card. Please sign your card and carry it with you at all times, as it includes a statement
of your intent to donate to our Willed Body Program.

Generally, there is no cost to your family. A fee of $150 applies if your family elects
to have the cremated remains returned upon completion of the course. If your family
does not elect to have the cremated remains returned, then the re is no fee as long
as you are within El Paso County. If you pass away outside El Paso County, your estate
would need to pay for transportation to the medical school.

It is important that we receive the body as soon as possible after death, so most
families choose to have a memorial service without the body present. Additionally,
the family may request to have their loved one’s ashes returned upon completion of
the anatomical studies course and they may prefer to hold a service at that time.
Clergy or funeral directors can easily arrange services of this type. If the family
feels strongly about holding a funeral prior to the donation the funeral director
would need to contact our department first for specific embalming instructions.

While it is not a requirement that you inform your family of your decision to donate,
it is encouraged. Family members may need some time to understand this unique and
generous decision so it is best to begin discussing your wishes with your family once
you initially make the decision to donate. Ideally, you should inform your next of
kin or the executor of your estate and provide copies of your donation paperwork.
We also advise that you notify your physician, clergy and attorney of the arrangements.

The cremated remains may be returned to the next of kin if the request is made in
advance. A $150 fee applies when requesting the return of cremated remains. The ashes
will be mailed by certified mail so it is imperative that we have a current address
and phone number for you and your next of kin. In the event that the next of kin prefers
not to receive the ashes or does not request the return of the ashes, the cremated
remains will be buried in a shared cemetery plot.

At time of death, contact should be made to the mortuary service that will be responsible
for removal. The contact number is: 915-838-1200. It should be explained that the
deceased is a registered donor with our program or that the nearest surviving relative
wishes to make a donation to our Medical School. The mortuary service will verify
enrollment in our donor program, or provide a Next of Kin donation form if the deceased
did not pre-enroll.

Your family may choose to have your body transported (through a mortuary service)
to our Medical School at the expense of your estate within 12 hours. Alternatively,
your family may choose to donate your body to a medical school located in the state
in which your death occurred.

If you carry the donor card that we provide to you in your purse or wallet, it will
be understood that you are a donor in our program. If not, your family members will
need to know of your request ahead of time so they can contact our Willed Body Program.

Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award baccalaureate, masters, doctoral, and professional degrees. Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center El Paso is a part of Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center and is currently seeking separate accreditation by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges. Contact the Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia 30033-4097 or call 404-679-4500 for questions about the accreditation of Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center.